HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 152, 29 June 1914, Page 16

HOCKEY

FINE DAY— MUDDY GROUNDS UNITED IN THE LEAD. United (5) v. Metropolitan (3). University (7) v. Wellington (2). Insurance (6) v. Mymi (0). The weather was beautifully fine at Kiirori on Saturday and all matches were played. A GREAT GAME. It was a great game, the one between Metropolitan and United. No. 1 ground was not in very good condition, but stood the test well, and there was some brilliant hockey. United came out on top, but on the whole, Metropolitan played the better game, and should have won. Sheeran won the first bully for Metropolitan, and the forwards were soon in the circle, where Eome very scrappy* play was witnessed, until M'Eldowney relieved with a hit up the line. Stockley - Jones deserved credit for the first goal. He placed the ball neatly to the half line, which in turn fed the forwards. There was a wild scamper down the field, and then — crash. Taplin had found the net for Mets. with a brilliant shot (1 — 0). This put United on their mettle, and there was much play in the Metropolitan territory — not very brilliant, but very willing. It was clean, and there was a pleasing absence of unnecessary whistle. Then the whistle sounded, as it turned out, for a goal. Nobody seemed to realise just what had happened, but the credit was given to Boyd. (1 — 1). Then a- silly thing happened. The x ball came from' tho halfway line towards Met's. t'onl, an-1 would have gone behind. Pullyn, however, guided it neatly into the goal mouth, thus scoring for !iis opponents, and at the same time equalising matters Metropolitan seemed npset by this sad mistake, and for a time T'nited had matters their own way. They played hard, and there was much excitement when Errtny scooped the ball .nto tne net. (5 — 2). Metropolitan who were playing the better game by far, returned to the attack, and deserved better luck. It was a great game — a struggle such as is seldom witnessed in local club matches. Metropolitan failed to do anything, and finally United broke away grimly determined, it appeared, to do something themselves. The forwards got moving, and Boyd secured a goal. (4 — 2). Excitement was at fever heat. There was a scramble in the circle, and Sheeran scored. (4—3). It was United's turn again. They had improved wonderfully, and at the end of a forward rush Richards scored with a neat side hit. (5 — 3). Two minutes later it was all over. Mr. J. C. Gusack was the referee.